Adjustable book-rest, photo-frame, and the like for tables and otherwise.



- F. HARRIS. ADJUSTABLE BOOK REST, PHOTO FRAME, AND THE LIKE FOR TABLES AND OTHERWISE.

APPLICATION P-ILEI) MAY 4, 1911. I

1,002, 1 47, Patented Aug. 29, 1911.

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FRANK HARRIS, OF WANGARATTA, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.

ADJUSTABLE BOOK-REST, PHOTO-FRAME, AND THE LIKE FOR TABLES AND OTHERWISE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 29, 1911.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, FRANK HARRIS, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, &c., residing at Wangaratta, in the State of Victoria, Commonwealth of Australia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Book-Rests, Photo-Frames, and the Like for Tables and Otherwise; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention applies to improvements applicable in the construction of adjustable book rests or photo frames, or these combined or like articles intended to stand upon tables and other convenient surfaces; my construction allows of a simple mode of adjustment of the angle of inclination of any such article and has various other advantages some of which are hereinafter explained.

In the accompanying drawings the construction is illustrated.

Figure 1 is a front view of a book rest with cover adjusting means, part of a book being shown. Fig. 2 is a rear-view of the parts in Fig. 1, but without the book. Fig. 3 is a side view of a book rest showing the tilted main plate supported by a swing sllde frame, an upper position of whlch is dotted, as is also a supporting surface to correspond. Fig. 4 is a side view showing some parts modified. Fig. 5 is a plan view on a larger scale illustrating a spring controlled cover adjuster. Figs. 6 and 7 show n side and front view respectively a speclally cheap form of my device.

In the drawings a is the front side and b the rear side of a main plate or support of any suitable size and material to act as a book support, or as in Fig. 1 be located at the back of a photo frame. Integral with the base of this plate is a forwardly projecting shelf 0 with upwardly extending frontal keepers d, e.

01: represents a horizontal table surface or the like.

m is a sloping surface.

In some cases keepers as d Fig. 4 are pivoted as at f; they can swing inwardly and outwardly, but a stop 9 limits outward movement when the keeper is in alinem'ent with the shelf 0. Arrow 8 shows the keeper 'ter can rest on it motion. When closed sufficiently inwardly, the keeper may rest upon matter placed at the main plate front. Fig. 4 shows in full lines the closed position of the keeper; matin that position.

In Fig. 4, 2' represents a photo frame with hinge 2' at its base. It is shown swung forwardly to allow of a photo being inserted into or removed from a suitable rear recess 6 The photo frame is normally moved backwardly as per arrow 9 to rest on the front side a of the main plate. Afiixed to the rear side Z; of the main plate are two longitudinal parallel wire rails j joined at the top as at j or otherwise, and having at a distance from one or both ends stops 7: or k These stops may be made by turning wlre ends inwardly-see Fig. 3,and soldering them to the back side 6 of the main plate. The stops limit the longitudinal or sliding movement of an adjustable wire slide frame 1 which has integrally a lower cross bar m, and upper eyes or the like a which inclose rails j freely, but are so shaped and located that the swing of the lower part of the slide frame away from the rails is limited as predetermined, that is with angle 0 either a right angle or a little more or less than a right angle. The rails have a checking action on the swing of the said eyes. The angle indicated allows for the standing of my article on a table at any desired-inclination according to where the slide eyes are placed as will be understood from Fig. 3. If surface m be moved to a horizontal position it will be seen that the main plate will be more nearly horizontal than vertical. Frame 1 can be closed inwardly till it is fiat against, or near, the back side I) with base m below part 0.

Cover adjusters are provided (visible at the front only when so required). Fixed to the back side 6 at each side is a socket 9, through which passes a shank or stem 9 having a bent arm .9 shown in cover raising position in Figs. 8 and 5.

t in Fig. 5 is a spring arranged between the socket and head 9" of the shank, which is normally held in a retracted position by said spring. This retracted position, but without using a spring is also seen on the left of Fig. 2, the socket 77, being shorter than shank g.

The arm or adjuster s is of any suitable length to support material placed on the front side a 'of the main plate. Thus when the beginning of a book is being read, there will be a slight thickness on the left side and a greater thickness on the right. The adjuster (movable as indicated by arrow 10 in Fig. 3) is then available to raise the thin part as required, for example level with the thicker part, or up against a keeper, see Figs. 3 and 5. The books shown are marked 3 hen the latter part of the book is reached, the cover adjuster on the right side may be set forward to raise the back cover, and so forth.

In Figs. 6 and 7, the rails j extend under the shelf 0 and turn upwardly to form keepers (Z 6 and the height of the part a need not be limited to that indicated.

There may be additional cover adjusters placed where desired, for example near each side of the upper part of the main plate.

The book rest may be used as a stand for photographs or the like (with or without ornamental details), attaching them in any suitable way upon the front side a of the main plate.

The adjustability of the angle of inclination of the surface a enables a book to be placed in a more suitable position for reading than if it were fiat upon a table.

Various modifications may be made in the cover adjusters, for example,'parts 7* may be omitted or be circular, and they may be adapted to be held in any desired adjustment to vary the distance to which part 8 projects forward of the main plate. Thus there may be a set screw 2 to each of the 1 sockets p; or shanks g may work stiffly in said sockets.

lVhat I claim as my invention is 1. In a stand or article of the kind inclicated, a main plate having a shelf, rear parallel rails engaged by a slide frame having a base adapted to swing outwardly to a predetermined angle, and at each side of the main plate one or more spring controlled or other cover adjusters movable to project forward of the main plate when required.

2. In a stand or article of the kind indicated, a main plate having a shelf, with keepers pivoted to its front edge, and having stops as indicated, and rear parallel rails engaged by a slide frame, stops to limit the travel of said frame on the rails, and eyes on the frame to limit the outward swing of the frame base. 7

3. In a stand or article of the kind inclicated, a main plate having integral with its base a forwardly projecting shelf and keepers projecting from the front edge of the shelf, rear parallel rails engaged by the slide frame having a transverse base adapted to swing outwardly, and upper end eyes carried by the frame for limiting its outward swing substantially to a right angle, and means carried by the main plate for adjusting the cover of a book'supported by the stand.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANK HARRIS. Witnesses: r V

WILLIAM L. BEATTIE, MARGARET J. FRY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G. 

